apprehend
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
apprehend the criminal
Police are determined to apprehend the murderer.
apprehend = catch and arrest
Definition
Generally this sense of apprehend means:to capture and arrest someone suspected of breaking the law
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 91-92 |
approach (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
approached the city
Winter is approaching.
approaching = getting nearer
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 104 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-2 |
2 —2 uses as in:
use the best approach
Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.
approach = method (way of doing something)
Definition
Generally this sense of approach means:a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-2 |
ascend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
ascend the mountain
We saw the rocket ascend.
ascend = move upward
Definition
Generally this sense of ascend means:to move or slope upward — sometimes figuratively as when climbing the corporate ladder
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 133 |
bronze (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 10 uses
1 —9 uses as in:
bronze won't corrode in salt water
The sculpture of a bull on Wall Street is made of bronze.
bronze = a brownish metal that is made of copper and (usually) tin
Definition
Generally this sense of bronze means:a brownish-colored metal with red or yellow hues that is made of copper and (usually) tin
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Pro. |
2 —1 use as in:
a bronze tan
He was attracted by her shining bronze hair.
bronze = reddish-brown or yellowish-brown
Definition
Generally this sense of bronze means:a reddish-brown or yellowish-brown color like that of one of the metals with the same name — often used to refer to a suntan or a dark glowing complexion
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 117-118 |
convoluted
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
convoluted folds of the brain
I don't know how to untie such a convoluted knot.
convoluted = having complex coils, folds, and twists
Definition
Generally this sense of convoluted means:having complex coils, folds, twists, or irregularities
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 27-28 |
direct (5 meanings)
5 meanings, 154 uses
1 —11 uses as in:
depart directly
I walked directly to work.
directly = without interruption in the straightest or quickest possible manner
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:without delay, or in the quickest manner, or without going somewhere else first
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3-4 |
2 —54 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
This flower does best in direct sunlight.
direct = without intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "The road runs directly to Las Vegas." — straight (without varying from a straight line)
- "It was a direct hit." — exact
- "The plant is in direct sunlight." — unobstructed (without anything in between)
- "She wants a direct meeting with him." — personal (without other people in between)
- "She paid direct attention to what he was reading." — close
- "a direct gaze" — straight, steady, or focused—not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
Word Statistics
| Book | 54 uses |
| Library | 62 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 81-82 |
3 —6 uses as in:
directed her question to
The sprinkler head needs to be fixed so it directs water away from the house.
directs = aims
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 25-26 |
4 —1 use as in:
directed the jury to...
On the SAT test, some questions direct you to look at an underlined or numbered portion of a passage.
direct = instruct
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 89-90 |
5 —82 uses as in:
directed the movie
She directed the move.
directed = supervised the making of
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:supervise, control, or to be in charge of
Word Statistics
| Book | 82 uses |
| Library | 29 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Pro. |
epiphany
1 use
The struggle led to an epiphany.
epiphany = sudden realization
Definition
Generally epiphany means:a sudden realization — especially one of importance
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 85-86 |
illustrate (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
as illustrated by this example
Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.
illustrate = make clear
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5-6 |
2 —1 use as in:
an illustrated children's book
I write and illustrate children's books.
illustrate = draw pictures to accompany
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to draw pictures (or provide photographs) to accompany a book or other writing
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 15-16 |
initiate (4 meanings)
4 meanings, 51 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
initiate discussions
The study concluded that women initiate divorce more frequently than men.
initiate = begin the process of
Definition
Generally this sense of initiate means:to cause (something) to begin
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 73-74 |
2 —1 use as in:
initiate into the art of drumming
That weekend, she was initiated into the art of fly fishing.
initiated = introduced (did it for the first time)
Definition
Generally this sense of initiate means:introduce to an activity or area of knowledge
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 131-132 |
3 —19 uses as in:
initiate into the fraternity
The photo is from the ceremony when she was initiated into the sorority.
initiated = accepted into the group in a special ceremony
Definition
Generally this sense of initiate means:to accept someone's membership into an organization — typically in a ceremony — sometimes including a period of instruction and/or test
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1-2 |
4 —29 uses as in:
She is a new initiate.
Initiates will be formally accepted and presented at the ceremony on Friday.
initiates = new members
Definition
Generally this sense of initiate means:someone who has formally started in an organization, or been introduced to or attained some expertise in a particular field
Word Statistics
| Book | 29 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Pro. |
perspective
7 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
Look at it from her perspective
A child who was abused with have a different perspective of family life than one raised in a nurturing home.
perspective = way of seeing or thinking about things
Definition
Generally this sense of perspective means:a particular way of seeing or thinking about things
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 21-22 |